16 May 2018 15:19:10
Ok so I've been reading how our defense has improved. Do people feel that's down to our midfield doing a better job at screening or the actual back 4? Or is it Karius? A combination of the 2? Henderson giving us stability? Ed01 and MK scouser, I'd like to hear your opinions as well as others.
I think Keita will improve us defensively as well as offensively. I see him able to play deep and give good through balls to our forwsrds. Different from Alonso but similar in that way. Your thoughts on Keita as well please. I think he can play anywhere in the midfield. Keita, Henderson and anybody Klopp decides and I'm made up.
Ed01 I know you're not a fan of Matip but do you think he was improving before his injury. Just asking because I haven't seen any of the eds say Klopp wants a cb. Klopp seemed to be rotating Matip and Lovren before the injury. Then there is Gomez. Not sure if I like those options but Klopp has proven himself though.

B-beef

1.) 16 May 201816 May 2018 15:33:59
Van Dyke has made the difference. Put Matip instead and most of the old issues will return.

2.) 16 May 201816 May 2018 15:39:06
In the first half of the season we had Mignolet in goal making mistakes, Gomez at right back making mistakes, Matip at centre back being lazy, Moreno at left back making mistakes, Can in midfield being lazy, and Coutinho not pressing effectively.

In the second half of the season we had Karius doing the basics, Arnold doing the basics, Virgil bringing some composure, Robertson doing the basics, Milner working hard in midfield, and Mane pressing like a man possessed.

Those 6 changes made us an all around more solid unit. Everyone cares now whilst Can and Coutinho didn't care at all. Plus we had 2 people in defence who were inept. Throw in Mignolet and it was a disaster.

Gomez was the least of the problems to be fair to him, but he kept getting done by the same ball over his head, repeatedly. Teams started targeting it and he folded under pressure. Trent on the other hand got done by Rashford in behind, but when he was subsequently targeted by Sane, he learned very quickly and teams soon learned he wasn't a weak link. Learning from your mistakes is crucial. If you don't, teams will exploit them.

3.) 16 May 201816 May 2018 15:39:26
A more settled defensive unit has helped.
Robertson has fewer brain-fades than Moreno.
Matip has been rubbish and replaced by VVD.
VVD has brought calmness to the kopflose hühne
Karius has been a huge improvement on Mignolet.

Plus our devastating attacking unit has pushed teams back a bit relieving a lot of pressure.

5.) 16 May 201816 May 2018 15:42:26
Karius massive upgrade on Mignolet
Van Dijk massive upgrade on Matip
Robertson massive upgrade on Moreno
Better understanding with the same back five playing together more regularly.

7.) 16 May 201816 May 2018 18:02:11
Van dijk has won a lot in the air, and is better on the ball, we gave away a lot from sloppy passes outt from the back. Robertson is solid and keeps the ball well, doesn't give it away cheaply. Hendo has been more regualrly now and he screens the back four the best out of our mids. Karius is quick off his line and good with his feet, so can be trusted to leave a high line and be passed to. Keeping the ball more means less opportunities to concede. The late goals we concede are when we drop back and allow them forward, if they rarely get near the goal they are rarely going to score.

8.) 16 May 201816 May 2018 21:04:51
I think our defense has improved primarily because of Karius coming in after Klopp had enough of Mignolet, and with Van Dijk coming in and providing stability. Lovren has also stabilized somewhat and is developing a partnership with VVD even though he is still capable of a laugher once in a while. All 3 have given each other confidence and things are much smoother than before. Arnold is improving and can come out with a top class performance once in a while (against Sane and ManC) and you can say the same about Robertson. Ultimately, the back 4 (or 5) unit has improved as a whole.